CASTLE HOMES | Real estate | sales & lettings | construction

The first step is to contact Castle Homes and sign up for our rental database. You can visit our office at 60 Meadow Street, Preston or register on our website, or click on their properties link on the web portals. Make sure you're clear on what you want, particularly the number of bedrooms and your budget. Then, keep in touch because desirable properties sell quickly. If your current landlord has served you with notice to leave or you have served notice to leave, please notify us and provide the latest date you need to move out.

Consider taking out a pen and paper and write down your ideal property. Most importantly, be firm about what you want and don't want, as well as what you consider a deal breaker. Don't give up on those deal breakers or you'll come to regret it later. Your budget should be a huge factor in your property search. Don't overstretch yourself financially; consider all other costs involved, such as bills, council tax, moving costs, agency fees, and so on. Your take-home pay (for all tenants combined) should be at least 2.5x your proposed monthly rent, or you may be denied referencing based on your income level.

An assured shorthold tenancy agreement is valid for six or twelve months. However, if you're waiting for a property to be purchased or relocating for work for a short period of time, you might want to consider a short let. Periods available range from a month to five months, but the rent for these lets is substantially higher as a result.

If you would like to proceed with one of our properties please fill in either or online form or print version below:

• APPLICATION FOR TENANCY (WEB)
• APPLICATION FOR TENANCY (PRINT)
• HOLDING PAYMENTS

Once you've found a property you like you should put down a holding payment and sign a holding deposit agreement. This will secure the property for you and will not arrange any more viewings. When your offer is accepted this money will form part of the initial rent or your deposit. If you pull out, you lose the money but if the landlord cannot or will not let to you it will be returned.

If you would like to proceed with one of our properties please fill in either or online form or print version below:

• APPLICATION FOR TENANCY (LINK ATTACHED) (WEB)
• APPLICATION FOR TENANCY (LINK ATTACHED) (PRINT)
• HOLDING PAYMENTS

Once you've found a property you like you should put down a holding payment and sign a holding deposit agreement. This will secure the property for you and will not arrange any more viewings. When your offer is accepted this money will form part of the initial rent or your deposit. If you pull out, you lose the money but if the landlord cannot or will not let to you it will be returned.

• HOLDING DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (LINK ATTACHED) (WEB)
• HOLDING DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (LINK ATTAHCED) (PRINT)

Once you have made your holding deposit, you will be subjected to reference checks to confirm your identity, place of employment, and earnings, as well as to ensure that you do not have any adverse credit. You will also be verified as having the right to live in the UK and will not be subject to any immigration controls. You must declare any outstanding CCJs or bankruptcies, as they may jeopardise your application. You will be required to show photographic identification as well as proof of your right to rent in the UK, your earnings, and your current address.

If you have a low income or want to live in a costly house, you may require a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who has a good credit history, is a homeowner, and/or works full-time and earns at least three times the monthly rent. The guarantor should understand their obligations because they will be asked to sign a legally binding document agreeing to certain conditions, including paying the rent if you are unable to meet your commitment for any reason.

The tenancy agreement will be the legal document that details your rights and obligations as tenants, as well as your landlord's obligations and expectations, as well as the agreements reached by all parties. It will define the key terms and include all of the property's rules.

We will provide you with a copy of the draught tenancy agreement well in advance of the start date of the tenancy for you to read in the comfort of your own home, and you should do so that you understand what you are signing. If you are unsure about anything in the agreement, ask the agent for clarification, seek legal advice.

Before you move in, you must pay a security deposit as well as the first month's rent. Your security deposit (also known as a damage deposit) is intended to compensate the landlord for lost rent or to pay for any damage caused by you if you are found to be at fault. In general, the required amount is equal to 5 weeks' rent. This must be protected in a government-approved deposit scheme within 30 days of the start of the tenancy, according to law. The Landlord or his Agent is required by law to provide you with "Prescribed Information" about the relevant scheme.

The Inventory and/or Schedule of Condition processes are formal methods of documenting the cosmetic condition and contents of a rented property. This descriptive information should ideally be complemented by high-quality photographs.

At the start of the tenancy, all parties sign the Inventory document to confirm that it is accurate. Examine it thoroughly and ask questions about anything you don't understand. At the end of the tenancy, the same document is used to compare the condition of the property, and the deposit is then awarded based on the results of this comparison.

There are strict time constraints involved in terminating a tenancy. This period begins on the date notice is served, which is usually two months, depending on the agreement.

The clock starts ticking once notice is served. We will agree on a departure date and set the wheels in motion. If the property is relisted, viewings may occur, so it is critical to keep the property looking nice while we show prospective new tenants around.

If an inventory was created when you moved in, the inventory clerk will meet you at the property on your last day to conduct the check-out process, at which point you hand over your keys to the agency. You will not be permitted to return to the property after that point. If there are no deductions, we will contact you within 10 days to arrange for the return of your deposit. If the landlord wishes to deduct funds from your deposit, he or she must follow a specific procedure. Details can be found on the website for the deposit scheme.